Ubud, Bali: Travel Guide 2025 — Attractions, Prices, Neighborhoods

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Central Ubud

sightseeing

Heart of the city with Ubud Palace, market, galleries, and restaurants. Everything is walking distance — temples, Monkey Forest, shops. Noisy due to traffic, especially on Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raya. Many tourists but convenient without a scooter. Accommodation prices higher but no transport needed.

Penestanan

budget

Quiet neighborhood west of center — paradise for yogis and digital nomads. Surrounded by rice fields, many yoga studios and coworkings. Artistic community with galleries. 15 minutes walk or 5 minutes by scooter to center. Fewer tourists, more peaceful. Great choice for long-term stays.

Sayan

luxury

Luxury area on a ridge above Ayung River — stunning valley views. Home to Bali's best 5-star resorts: Four Seasons, COMO Shambhala. Perfect for honeymoon and romance. Ayung River rafting starts here. Far from center — transport needed. Hotel restaurants are expensive.

Nyuh Kuning

budget

Quiet village south of Monkey Forest — authentic Balinese atmosphere. 10 minutes walk to main attractions but completely different vibe. Wood carvers, local ceremonies, roosters in the morning. Prices lower than center. Few tourists. Great for cultural immersion. Several nice cafes and guesthouses.

Tegallalang (North)

sightseeing

Area of famous rice terraces north of Ubud — picturesque views right outside your window. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers. Need scooter or car to get around. Quieter and greener than center. Can rent a villa among rice fields for reasonable prices. 20-30 minutes to Ubud center.

Ubud

Ubud is the spiritual heart of Bali, where rice terraces meet ancient temples, and morning yoga gives way to evening dances. This is a place where time flows differently: no rushing, only contemplation.

The town is located in the center of the island at 200-300 meters elevation, making the climate more pleasant than on the coast. All around — lush tropical greenery, rivers, and the famous Tegallalang rice fields that have become a symbol of Bali.

Main attractions are compact. The Sacred Monkey Forest with 1,200 macaques is right in the city center. Ubud Palace transforms every evening into a...

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faq.subtitle Ubud

Ngurah Rai Airport is 1.5-2 hours from Ubud (depending on traffic). Options: airport taxi 650,000-700,000 IDR (~$42); Grab/Gojek 400,000-450,000 IDR (~$28); pre-booked transfer 350,000-500,000 IDR (~$25-32). Ride-hailing apps don't always work directly at the airport — better to walk outside or book a transfer in advance.

Sacred Monkey Forest (80,000 IDR) — over 1,200 macaques in an ancient temple complex. Tegallalang Rice Terraces — iconic views, best visited in the morning. Campuhan Ridge Walk — free 30-minute trail with valley views. Tirta Empul Temple — sacred spring for purification rituals. Ubud Palace (50,000 IDR) — city center with nightly dance performances (100,000 IDR). Goa Gajah Elephant Cave — 1,000-year-old Hindu temple inside a cave.

Warungs (local cafes): nasi goreng 14,000-30,000 IDR ($1-2), mie goreng 14,000-25,000 IDR. Mid-range cafes: dishes 80,000-150,000 IDR ($5-10). Trendy vegan cafes: 100,000-200,000 IDR ($6-13). Upscale restaurants: from 250,000 IDR ($16+). Tasting menu at Locavore or Apéritif: 1,500,000-1,700,000 IDR ($95-110). Bintang beer: 35,000-50,000 IDR. Coffee: 25,000-50,000 IDR. Ubud is pricier than other parts of Bali due to tourists and vegan culture.

Best time — May, June, September, October: dry, not too hot, fewer tourists. Dry season (April-October): ideal for walks, 27-30°C daytime, 20-23°C at night. Wet season (November-March): rains usually short (couple hours in afternoon), but everything is green and prices are lower. August — peak season, highest prices and crowds. Avoid Nyepi (March 29, 2025) — Day of Silence when everything is closed, including the airport.

Central Ubud: convenient walking distance to all sights, but noisy. Jalan Bisma: quiet street 10 minutes from center, many cafes. Penestanan: for yoga lovers and digital nomads, quiet, rice fields around. Sayan: luxury villas with Ayung River views, romantic. Nyuh Kuning: village atmosphere 10 minutes from Monkey Forest. North (Tegallalang): for nature lovers, need a scooter. Hostels from $4-10/night, mid-range hotels $40-80, villas with pool from $100.

No, MIR cards do not work in Indonesia — the country is not on the list of accepting countries. Options for Russians: cash USD/EUR (exchange for rupiah at official exchangers), UnionPay card from Russian bank (works at some ATMs and stores), foreign bank card (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan — costs ~20-50 thousand rubles). Zolotaya Korona for transfers also doesn't work. Bring cash — it's the most reliable method. In tourist areas, some accept dollars directly.

Travel Tips

Useful tips for visiting Ubud

Rent a scooter (70,000-150,000 IDR/day) — it's the most convenient way to get around. Make sure to have an international driving permit with motorcycle category, police frequently check at popular spots. For rides, use Grab or Gojek — prices are fixed, no need to haggle. In central Ubud, there are many 'no taxi zones' due to local taxi driver protests — you'll need to walk a few minutes.

Cash rupiah is needed everywhere — many places don't accept cards. Exchange money only at official exchangers with 'No Commission' sign and license (Central Kuta Money Exchange, BMC). Avoid street money changers — they cheat during counting. Rate: 1 USD ≈ 16,000 IDR. ATMs dispense max 2,500,000 IDR at a time, fee ~50,000 IDR. Tips are not mandatory but appreciated — 10,000-20,000 IDR.

Visit rice terraces and temples early morning (before 9:00) — fewer crowds and not as hot. In the Monkey Forest, keep glasses on a strap, remove earrings, and don't open bags — monkeys grab everything. Before buying tours, compare prices: Tegallalang + Tirta Empul + Monkey Forest from $33, private guide for the day $50-60. For DIY visitors — Ubud Palace entrance 50,000 IDR, evening dances 100,000 IDR.

Look for warungs (local cafes) away from main streets — nasi goreng costs 15,000-25,000 IDR there instead of 80,000 IDR in tourist spots. Popular ones: Warung Biah Biah, Nasi Ayam Kedewatan. Tap water is unsafe — drink only bottled. Ice in good restaurants is safe (made from purified water). For vegans and health-conscious — Ubud is paradise: Alchemy, Sayuri Healing Food, Moksa. Bintang (local beer) — 35,000-50,000 IDR.

When entering temples, wear a sarong (given free or for small fee) and cover shoulders. Women during menstruation are not allowed to enter — it's a religious rule. Don't touch Balinese people's heads — it's a sacred body part. Don't point at anything with your foot. Remove shoes when entering homes. Every evening at Ubud Palace there are legong, kecak, and barong dances — a must-see (100,000 IDR). Bali Spirit Festival (April-May) — yoga and music.

Ubud is 200-300 m above sea level — it's cooler here than on the coast. Daytime 27-30°C, nighttime 20-23°C. Bring a light jacket for evenings. In dry season (April-October) humidity is 65-80%. In rainy season (November-March) showers are usually in the afternoon for a couple hours — mornings are good for walking. Wettest month is January. Umbrella or raincoat is essential year-round. On Nyepi (March 29, 2025) — no movement allowed, even airport is closed.